Podcast Summary: Hoy por Hoy | Noticias
SER Podcast – December 3, 2025
Host: Àngels Barceló

Main Theme

A day of high political tension in Spain. The episode centers on Pedro Sánchez’s public attempts to rebuild bridges with Junts per Catalunya after weeks of legislative blockade, simultaneous corruption scandals involving senior politicians (notably José Luis Ábalos), and international instability due to Vladimir Putin’s new threats and Donald Trump’s aggressive rhetoric against Venezuela. The show also discusses backlash within Sánchez’s own coalition and among parliamentarians, broadening out to the local and international political climate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Sánchez–Junts Standoff and the Government’s Survival

[00:10, 10:11, 47:27, 109:37, 126:19]

• Context: Sánchez’s government is paralyzed legislatively due to Junts blocking initiatives after alleging unmet promises stemming from Sánchez’s investiture agreements.
• Sánchez’s media strategy: For the first time, Sánchez gives two back-to-back interviews to Catalan media (RAC1 and TVE Cat) admitting, “Es verdad que no hemos cumplido con todo, yo lo asumo, pero también es cierto que se han logrado avances importantes” (We haven’t fulfilled everything, I admit it, but important progress has been made) – Pedro Sánchez [00:42, 10:59, 47:45, 78:51, 109:39].
• Government gestures: A new decree with several Junts-backed measures is approved, but Junts say this is “insufficient” and do not trust Sánchez’s sincerity.
• Junts’ spokesperson: Miriam Nogueras states, “Esto no cambia la posición de Junts per Catalunya. Estamos donde estábamos antes” (This doesn’t change Junts’ position. We’re where we were before) – Miriam Nogueras [127:50].
• Analysis: Coalition partners (Esquerra, Sumar, Podemos) fear a rightward drift or concessions to the Catalan business elite. Esquerra claims the real motive for Junts’ break is business interest, not ideology.

2. The Ábalos Case: Corruption, Fallout, and Distancing

[01:45, 14:21, 31:13, 81:03, 94:49]

• Background: José Luis Ábalos, once Sánchez’s right-hand man and ex-minister, is now under arrest for corruption.
• Sánchez’s position: “Era un gran desconocido para mí” (He was a great stranger to me) – Pedro Sánchez [01:45, 31:13, 47:12, 95:07].
• Criticism: PP’s Alberto Núñez Feijóo accuses Sánchez of hypocrisy: “Que el Sr. Sánchez diga que el Sr. Ábalos es un gran desconocido acredita su hipocresía” (That Sánchez says Ábalos is a stranger proves his hypocrisy) – Feijóo [02:12].
• Fallout: The PP pushes inquiry commissions in the Senate, summoning related figures (e.g., Santos Cerdán’s wife).
• Societal impact: The scandal feeds opposition narratives about cronyism, lack of oversight, and internal Socialist Party weaknesses.

3. The Salazar Scandal & Feminism in PSOE

[15:22, 81:24, 101:44]

• Case: Paco Salazar, ex-advisor in Moncloa, accused of misogynistic and harassing behavior.
• PSOE response: The party admits failures; “Me parecen repugnantes y me parecen una vergüenza...me hubiese gustado que hubiese sido mucho más diligente la actuación” (I find this repugnant and shameful...I wish action had been more diligent) – Pilar Bernabé, Secretary of Equality [15:58].
• Impact: The efficiency of party processes and feminist credentials are questioned.

4. Corruption & Political Turbulence in Autonomous Regions

[03:16, 17:25, 21:21, 84:19, 140:05]

• Navarra: Director general of Public Works dismissed over unexplained cost overruns.
• Valencia (Dana tragedy): New president Juanfran Pérez Llorca apologizes to natural disaster victims, though victim associations criticize continuity over substantive change.
• Baleares & Extremadura: Vox brings down the spending limit; PP forced to govern without new budgets, highlighting the tension between PP and its far-right partners.
• Andalusia: PSOE accuses the PP government of “dedazo” contracts with companies linked to mask procurement scandals.

5. Rising Ultra Politics & Parliamentary Deadlock

[21:42, 131:35, 145:15]

• Vox’s disruptive role: In regional governments, Vox blocks key votes (like budgets), jeopardizing coalition stability; the host calls it a warning for future national governance with ultraright dependency.

6. International: Trump’s Threats & Putin’s Escalation

[04:24, 25:14, 26:31, 88:16, 156:13]

• Trump: “Vamos a acabar con esos hijos de perra” (We’re going to take out those sons of bitches) – Donald Trump [04:42, 25:14, 156:44]—as he threatens ground attacks on Venezuela and any country trafficking drugs to the USA.
• Putin: After a five-hour meeting with Trump’s envoy, Putin warns Europe: “Si Europa empieza una guerra con Rusia, estamos preparados” (If Europe starts a war with Russia, we’re ready) – Vladimir Putin [30:03].
• NATO & EU: The episode covers EU corruption (Federica Mogherini investigated for fraud) and instability in EU-Russia relations.

7. Social & Economic Miscellany

[41:06, 53:25, 54:05, 61:29, 68:31]

• Agriculture: African swine fever detected in wild boars in Catalonia; UK resumes pork imports.
• Education: UGT study reveals salary gaps among teachers—up to €700/month across regions.
• Economy: The digital invoice system “Verifactu” is delayed to 2027 in a nod to Junts.
• Business: Inditex reports a 3.9% net profit increase in 2025, growing despite economic headwinds.

8. Sports & Culture

[06:32, 62:50]

• Women's football: Spain clinches a second consecutive Nations League title, defeating Germany 3-0 before a record crowd.
• Noteworthy moments: Player quotes:
  • “No es fácil volver a estar en una final. Ahora la ganas...el equipo no piensa en si somos leyendas o no” (It’s not easy to make finals again. Now we win...the team doesn’t think about whether we’re legends or not) – Alexia Putellas [06:59].
  • “Un partidazo de todo el equipo y un nuevo título...Me hace ilusión porque es mi primer título con la selección. Una locura” (A great match from the whole team and a new title...I’m thrilled because it’s my first title with the national team. Crazy) – Claudia Pina [42:47].
• Podcast recs: Pepa Blanes recommends “Yakarta” – new series starring Javier Cámara.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Sánchez’s Concession:
  “Es verdad que no hemos cumplido con todo, yo lo asumo, pero también es cierto que se han logrado avances importantes"
  — Pedro Sánchez [00:42, 78:51, 109:39]

• Junts’s Stand:
  “Esto no cambia la posición de Junts per Catalunya. Estamos donde estábamos antes”
  — Miriam Nogueras [127:50]

• On Ábalos:
  “Él, que la tuve, no la niego, es evidente. Y otra cosa es que desde el punto de vista personal era un gran desconocido para mí”
  — Pedro Sánchez [01:45, 31:13, 47:12]

• PP’s Rebuttal:
  “Que el Sr. Sánchez diga que el Sr. Ábalos es un gran desconocido acredita su hipocresía”
  — Feijóo [02:12]

• Salazar Scandal Response:
  “Me parecen repugnantes y me parecen una vergüenza. Como secretaria de Igualdad me hubiese gustado que hubiese sido much más diligente la actuación”
  — Pilar Bernabé [15:58]

• Trump’s Vulgar Threat:
  “Vamos a acabar con esos hijos de perra”
  — Donald Trump [04:42, 25:14, 156:44]

• Putin’s Warning:
  "Si Europa empieza una guerra con Rusia. Estamos preparados y no habrá nadie con quien negociar la paz."
  — Vladimir Putin [30:03]

• Player Victory:
  “Un partidazo de todo el equipo y un nuevo título...Me hace ilusión porque es mi primer título con la selección. Una locura.”
  — Claudia Pina [42:47]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:10] — Introduction of crisis with Junts, Sánchez’s interviews
• [00:42] — Sánchez admits failures with Junts
• [01:45] — Sánchez on Ábalos: “a gran desconocido”
• [02:12] — Feijóo’s criticism
• [06:32] — Sports: Spain wins Nations League
• [15:58] — Salazar scandal feminist response
• [25:14/26:31] — Trump and Putin’s international threats
• [31:13/47:12/78:51] — Sánchez on his relationship with Ábalos
• [62:50] — Jennifer Hermoso, Alexia Putellas, Claudia Pina quotes
• [81:03/94:49] — In-depth discussion on party culture and internal responsibility
• [109:37/126:19] — The government’s tactic with Junts, direct quotes, and parliamentary strategy
• [127:50] — Miriam Nogueras (Junts) responds
• [156:44] — Trump’s threats in his own words

Tone & Style

• Matter-of-fact, reflective and at times caustic analysis (especially when discussing party hypocrisy)
• Critical of all actors—no one spared from scrutiny (PSOE, PP, Junts, Vox)
• Occasional wry humor, especially in cultural/sports segments (“las auténticas protagonistas del día” referencing the women's football team)

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

• The episode traces a day of intense political maneuvering and institutional self-criticism in Spain: the government, battered by corruption and facing legislative collapse, tries public “mea culpa” and new overtures to Junts, who remain skeptical. Corruption scandals dominate headlines, fueling partisan attacks and raising questions on internal political culture. International news adds more gloom, with Trump’s and Putin’s threatening rhetoric.
• Spain’s government appears adrift, with partners restless and a rightward, populist surge pressuring mainstream politics. The women’s national football team offers a rare bright spot amid the turmoil.

End of Summary